Personality and Values - Assignment Example

1. The Declaration of Independence refers to the "pursuit of happiness." Should the word "pleasure" be substituted for "happiness"? Why/why not? It is not appropriate to substitute the word “pleasure” with happiness because when viewed from varied perspectives, the word “pleasure” has certain negative connotations. For example, pleasure can be used when one seeks or accomplishes materialistic desires like money, physical intimacy, consuming favorite food, and so on. However, the word “happiness” can be used in a broader positive context. 2. The highest happiness for a cockroach probably is surviving an attempt by humans to kill it. The highest happiness for a human being probably is living a healthy and prosperous life with family and friends. Explain. The happiness factor differs from one living being to other. In the case of cockroaches, survival is a key necessity. As cockroaches live a vulnerable life where they are continuously searched and killed by humans, surviving probably gives them the highest happiness. Apart from few individuals, majority of the humans do not face the threat of getting killed on a daily basis. Instead they would be happy to live a healthy life with enough money to fulfill their ambitions or aspirations. 3. Could a deeply flawed person lead a worthy life? If so, how? Before answering the question: [a] give an example of what such a "deep flaw" might be and [b] how you define a "worthy life." A person can be said to have a “deep flaw”, if he/she monetarily cheats another person. Worthy life is when an individual live a life of mental peace without any guilt feeling and without being criticized openly by others. It would be difficult for a deeply flawed person like a cheater to live a worthy life because even if he/she tries to suppress the fact that he/she cheated, the inner consciousness could raise and prick anytime. 4. Do you owe any duties to people in the future? People in the past? Why/Why not? If you recognize such duties, identify those you think most important. To the people in the future, I like to owe few duties. I like to be sincere to them, without having any intention of cheating or hurting them. To the people in the past, I like to be grateful for all the support they gave me particularly in my toughest times. 5. Pick a career of interest to you. How might that career shape your character and personality? Explain. I like to pick a career in government services. By working in the government sector, I wish to serve and help the common people maximally. When I do that and see the happiness among them, it will motivate me to serve them more thereby shaping my character in the positive direction. 6. What do you want to create with your life? Why? With my life, I want to create beautiful and good relationships with people around me. When I do this with my family, friends, colleagues, and maximal people in the society, it will elevate my interactions with me. When the relationship and interaction with others is on beautiful and good terms, it will provide me with a happy mindset. 7. What are the basic components of the scientific method? Can any of them be considered "ethical" in nature? Should any ethical standards associated with the scientific method be applied to other disciplines, including law? The basic components of the scientific method are forming a hypothesis or goal, testing it, and then proving it. These scientific methods per se are ethical in nature, but if the individuals conducting those methods act with ulterior or negative motives, it could become unethical. Yes, those methods can be applied to other disciplines like law because it also involves testing and proving a case. 8. The primary aim of education is creating awareness? Explain. Any education should create awareness among the individuals, who are being taught. The education should open their minds to constructive things that are invisible to them before. In addition, it should orient their mind in an all-new plus positive direction. 9. If you were managing a group house, would you have any rules? Why/why not? If you would have rules, how would you devise and establish them? Identify at least three rules you would propose. Yes, I would have rules because it actualizes some order or system in the house group. I would devise and establish the rules based on the characteristics and nature of the members in the group. The three rules are: avoid fighting with the members as all the contentious issues need to be solved in a democratic manner, avoid indulging in nefarious activities, and addressing each other in a respectful manner. 10. Should there be any general statement of "human rights" applicable across the world--even if it can't be enforced? Why/why not? If such a statement should exist, identify at least three "universal human rights." Yes, there should be a general statement of human rights that is applicable across the world. It is because humans living everywhere, irrespective of geographical locations, have to be viewed and treated equally. The three rights are: freedom to practice their fair beliefs, protection against any physical assaults, and the right to democratically elect their representatives. 11. What qualities do you value in your friends? Do your friends help make you a "better" person? If so, identify the qualities that make you "better." Do you try to help your friends become better people? Why? The key qualities that I value in my friends are how they stand with me in my toughest times, and how they trust my decisions. Yes, it makes me a better person because as they trust my decision, I make sure I take decisions which are positive and not hurtful to anyone. As a payback, I also stand with my friends in their toughest times, and as it is the case with me, it makes them more sensitive to other needs thereby becoming better people. 12. What are the basic traits of good leadership. Are any of those traits "ethical" in nature? Explain. The basic traits of good leadership is setting good personal example to their followers, communicating with them without any biases, and finally motivating and appreciating them for their achievements. All these traits are ethical in nature because a leader has to imbibe ethics in all the above three traits to make it more effective. 13. Are there people you admire, even though you disagree with them about controversial issues (like politics or religion)? What qualities of character do they have that you admire? Julian Assange of Wikileaks is one person whom I admire although I disagree with his act of leaking number of American diplomatic cables. I admire him for certain qualities like, standing up against a mighty power, wanting transparency in government actions, courage and confidence amidst strong opposition. 14. Would you pursue the truth, even if doing so caused you to doubt your basic beliefs and assumptions? Why? Yes, I would pursue the truth even if it makes me to doubt my basic beliefs and assumptions. This is because truth cannot be permanently kept hidden. In addition, I can form newer and better beliefs and assumptions while pursuing the truth. 15. Do you learn anything about yourself when you're quiet, and alone? What is it? Do you learn anything about the world when you're quiet, and alone? What is it? Yes, I learn a lot when I am quiet. I learn about the mistakes I may be committing. I also learn from the criticisms leveled by others. As far as the world is concerned, not literally the world but I learn about the people. I learn how people could be selfish and self-centric during certain situations. 16. Do you learn anything about yourself when you experience beauty? What is it? Do you learn anything about the world when you experience beauty? What is it? When I experience beauty, the thing I learn is, how any beauty including physical beauty and even nature’s beauty is not permanent and could deteriorate in course of time. Regarding world and its people, I learn how people tend to view and appreciate mainly the external or physical beauty, instead of focusing on inner or mental beauty. 17. From an interview with a University of Maryland student: Q. Is engaging in cheating fair to honest students? A. I don't think of it like that. I know some students do. But the attitude is generally, this is the way it is. When they work, a lot of these kids, either their fathers work in business, whatever they do, they get a shortcut--the other guy doesn't. That's the way I look at it. If I'm sharp enough to know the right people to get what I need, and he's not, then that's the point of the whole thing. Agree or disagree with the student's perspective. Explain your answer. I disagree with the above perspective of the student because although there are numerous options that are available to cheat, one has to be ethically correct. When one is ethically correct, they could exhibit their own talent and importantly opportunity to learn. 18. Are there any values or virtues necessary for free economies to flourish? If so, what are they? How can they be fostered? The key value that is necessary for the free economics to flourish is not to trample on the indigenous businesses. As these indigenous businesses would be carried out by the people for many years, making them exit would be harmful to many. If they are outdated, they could be facilitated to update themselves and compete in the current environment. 19. How is a good life defined? A good life is when individuals live a healthy and prosperous life with family and friends. If the individuals do not indulge in bad lifestyle habits and are healthy, they can focus their mind and body on a good career. If the individual forms a good career and put his/hers’ best efforts, then he/she can earn adequately thereby providing a relaxed, motivated, and constructive mind. Importantly, with that mindset, individuals can build good relationship with family and friends, and that will provide them with maximal happiness. 20. How will the career you are contemplating help you lead a good life? The career in government service or in any sector will provide me an opportunity to serve people or clients, and in the process earn adequately. As previously pointed out, serving the people and the resultant goodwill could motivate me further. In addition, by earning and thereby doing all my familial and also friendly duties, I can build good relationship with my family members and friends. 21. Assume an "ethics" pill could be devised that would make people kinder and more self-disciplined. If there were no harmful side effects, would you take such a pill? (Consider two underlying questions: Is happiness found in the process of molding a character--learning from failures and mistakes? Would the world be better off if St. Augustine or Malcolm X had taken "ethics pills" early in their lives?). Yes, I would certainly take it. At the outset, I would have skepticism that whether me taking the pill could bring about the positive change, when others, who have not taken the pill, could act in unethical ways. However, I manage that skepticism with the perspective that if I take the pill and change myself, it would surely positively impact others as well. It is also a fact that happiness can be found when a character is molded in a positive direction. Yes, I assume that if St. Augustine or Malcolm X had taken that ethics pills, they could have acted in a kinder manner to all the people thereby bringing more positive changes. Read More